Measuring my success

I learnt several project planning techniques at the iLive2LeadIndia Summit. In the International Summit, I was exposed to more advanced planning ideas which I am going to keep in mind while carrying out the rest of my Environmental Consciousness initiative.

Measuring my success is one such skill that I thought would be very useful for me while I conclude my project.

At the end of my project, it's important for me to be able to show concrete results to prove that my efforts have created a difference (or not- so that I can improvise!). Thus, I need to quantitatively measure my progress at regular intervals.

Here's how I plan to do this:
a) My survey (refer my blog post dated 16th June 2011, Thursday)- I have conducted a survey among a random sample of thirty students to measure their initial awareness levels. Once I finish carrying out all my green activities, I will hand out the same survey to the same set of students to check if there is an increase in awareness levels, and if so, by how much. These percentages will give me a rough but clear idea about the effect that my project has had on the target population in consideration.

b) My blog- I'm keeping track of how regularly I've been updating my blog. With 13 posts so far (including this one!), I've covered all aspects of my project that I think will help in spreading consciousness or that I want others to know about. I also check how many hits I've received every time I login. The numbers seem good with 102 hits since I began this blog!

c) Feedback- Some of my initiatives are well-received by my peers while others are not. Direct feedback in the form of comments or reports (for example, refer my blog post dated 31st July 2011, a student's view about the talk on eco-friendly lifestyles held in the school) are preferable because I know exactly what was well-done and what needed improvement. Indirect feedback is easier to obtain, like observing the number of students willing to volunteer for an eco-friendly event or the teachers' willingness to conduct a green class activity. However, I find it more difficult to document this kind of feedback!

Using these three forms of measurement, I hope I will be able to measure the impact of my project on my community!

Go green!

Next up- green newsletter

A green newsletter is next on my to-do list of green activities! The tabloid I plan to bring out is both to promote eco-awareness and to recognize students' participation in environmentally friendly initiatives in and outside school.

I have a rough outline of what's going to be in there- as well as a fantastic painting that will form the cover page! This in-house newsletter will be interactive and student-friendly. I plan to host it on the school blog, and if possible, even the school website! Both these sites are accessible to students of our two sister schools as well, apart from the students in my school. That's quite exciting, because a larger number of people can be influenced to become eco-friendly (which is the extended aim of this project; my PM aptly called it 'the ripple effect'!)

Of course, I'll also put it up on this blog Environ, for all of my followers and readers to see!

Go green!

'Eco friendly lifestyles' talk- feedback

Eco Alternatives said:

Team Eco Alternatives met up with students of PSBB for a earth-friendly discussion. We couldn’t help being impressed at the encouragement provided by the school. Spreading awareness on the need to use eco-friendly products in daily life, and children working on viable projects that would promote a healthy environment were the main topics of discussion.

A report by a student:

PRESENTATION BY ECO ALTERNATIVES

On the 17th of June 2011, Ms. Vaani Anand and Ms. Sukhada Parthasarathy, founders of Eco Alternatives conducted a session on 'leading eco-friendly lifestyles'. I found the programme interesting. They began with a story about a boy who saved starfish that were washed to the shore, and how he was able to make a difference as an individual. They went on to tell us about how Planet Earth and Mother Nature were gifts to humankind. We were then enlightened with facts and statistics on the degradation of our flora and fauna. The speakers reiterated that it is WE who must take the initiative to act towards saving the environment and not wait for other organisations to do it. Taking out a leaf from their own lives, they explained small things that we could all do, for example, carry our own shopping bags. The session was an enriching one visually too as the presentation contained a vast set of pictures. We thoroughly enjoyed the session and their words and suggestions had a lot of impact on us.

P.V.Durga
Standard 10


Go green!

Back from iLive2Lead International Summit!

I just got back from the iLive2Lead International Summit held at Washington, D.C.! This week-long programme was an inspiring one. Top women leaders addressed the thirty five participants from different countries across the globe. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet such amazing people from diverse backgrounds.

We had a session on project planning as well! I got to meet my Project Manager! As I expected, she is very sweet, kind and helpful! I was also introduced to my second mentor. She is extremely nice too!


Go green!

Poetry and poster-making contests

Poetry and poster making contests were organized in the school. The theme for the competition was ‘biodiversity’. The contests saw enthusiastic participation and several entries were received. They were judged by the biology teacher. The prize distribution for the same took place in the school assembly.

The winning entries for the poster making contest are below:

Go green!

iL2L International Summit

I've written earlier about the iLive2Lead Summit I attended in India this March. It was through this programme that I was first introduced to my iCAN project about environmental consciousness. I am attending the iLive2Lead International Summit in Washington, DC this week. I'm very excited about the Summit- apart from honing my leadership skills, I will also be discussing my iCAN project with my peers and the organizers- and the best part is: I get to meet my Project Manager! I'm looking forward to the week-long even with much enthusiasm and eagerness. I hope that this serves as a platform for me to develop skills that I can use in my project, and give it a new thrust.

Go green!

Ten tips to be eco-friendly in school

A display board on "Tips to be eco-friendly in school" was established in the campus . It saw enthusiastic participation from students, who designed the notices on the blank sides of old circulars given in school. A banner made out of newspaper titled the exhibit.

Newspaper clippings, roses made out of old ribbons, streamers and other extras were attached to catch the attention of students.

Snapshots:

Hopefully, this initiative will go a long way in making students more conscious about saving the earth and becoming environmentally friendly citizens of the planet!

The tips were also read out in the school assembly. Excerpts:

1. ENERGY

Green fact: One tubelight consumes 40 watts and one fan consumes 60 watts of power every hour.

Every classroom has 2-3 tubelights and 3-4 fans. Do the math: Forgetting to switch off fans and lights before you leave the your classroom means you have wasted around 173 watts in one period!

Green fact: Research shows that at the global level, gadgets on standby power are roughly responsible for 1% of global carbon dioxide emissions!

Switch off the plasma screens in your classroom when they’re not in use. Don’t leave them on standby- it directly leads to global warming!

2. PAPER

Green fact: Nearly 4 billion trees or 35% of the total trees cut around the world are used in paper industries in every continent.

Unused pages from old school notebooks amount to atleast two new notebooks per year. That would mean buying two notebooks less the next year, saving paper in the process.

Use the blank side of circulars given in school. Don’t throw them away in class, as this adds to the litter in the classroom. In case you haven’t noticed, the paper these tips are written on is the blankside of old circulars!

3. TRAVEL

Green fact: In most developed cities, vehicular emissions are the biggest contributors to air pollution.

If you live near school, use eco-friendly transport to commute. Walk or cycle- that way, you also get exercise!

If you come by car, carpool. It’s fun to travel to school with friends, and at the same time, you’re doing your bit to save the planet.

4. FOOD AND DRINK

Green fact: Organic food is food grown and processed using no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides

Buy organically grown groceries. They are far healthier than pesticide-sprayed foodstuffs, and besides, they don’t harm the natural ecosystem.

Finish your lunch everyday. And don’t waste potable water! Drink the unfinished water in your school water bottle once you get home. If you think it’s stale, then use it for watering plants or cleaning.

5. WATER

Green fact: 10 litres of water are wasted in one day by one leaky tap (at 30 drips per minute, i.e., 1 drip every 2 seconds)! Now that’s a lot of water!

If you find a leaky tap or flush in the bathroom, inform an ayah or attender at once. Till something gets done about it, place a bucket under the tap so that the water doesn’t go waste.

6. PLASTIC

Green fact: Studies show that one plastic bag takes 1000 years or more to degrade. That’s ten times a human’s lifetime!

Look around your classroom. And in your desk. There are so many items made out of plastic that you bring to school everyday- your pencilbox, waterbottle, snackbox and even polythene bags! There are eco-friendly substitutes for all these articles in the market. Go in for cloth pouches, metallic bottles, steel boxes and jute bags. You owe it to the Earth!

7. WASTE MANAGEMENT

Green fact: Countries worldwide are seeking to boost recycling levels. The significance of effective sorting technologies is becoming increasingly apparent.

Sort out the garbage in your classroom. Put recyclable waste in a separate bin- your class can get creative at the end of every month and think of ways to recycle the trash!

Don’t throw garbage on the floor. If there isn’t a bin around, then pocket your waste and put into a bin when you find one.

Try winning the Clean Class Award!

8. READING UP

Green fact: Sustainable development depends upon people’s awareness of the environmental effects of their actions.

There are so many complex terms like global warming, climate change and greenhouse effect that environmentalists use all the time. But what are they? Do they matter to you? Should you be bothered?

Awareness is the key to empowerment. You access the internet everyday- spend just ten minutes looking up these green words. Watch movies like ‘An Inconvinient Truth’, ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ and ‘2012’. Then you’ll get an idea as to what this all means.

9. VOLUNTEERING AND PROJECTS

Green fact: There’s no use blaming governments and corporations for our polluted planet. They can’t bring about a change. But YOU can!

Have you ever been involved in an environmental project? Even if you haven’t, don’t worry; there are plenty of opportunities coming up! Keep your eyes and ears open about green initiatives in school. A talk about eco-friendly lifestyles, a presentation on recycling, a green poster competition- it could be anything!

Participate and take action. If you don’t, then who will?

10. SPREADING THE MESSAGE

Green fact: Earmark April 22^nd (Earth Day) and June 5^th (World Environment Day) on your calendar. They are celebrated to remind you to give back to Mother Nature.

Amidst all the pleasantries, news and gossip that you exchange in class, why not slip in some green talk? The people you can influence the most are your own peers. Tell them what you know about being eco-friendly. Lead by example.

Initiate a classroom discussion about human-induced environmental problems and think about how you can solve them at a micro level. Don’t be inhibited to voice your views.

No one can laugh at you for being eco-friendly: it’s the coolest trend ever if you want a place on the planet!

Go green!